Riots in Birmingham/London/Manchester etc

[transportphoto]

Handsworth Police Station and the shopping centre above New St. A bit in the centre too I think.

I've seen a picture of a McDonalds smashed in, not sure what branch though, it was in Birmingham.

 

[SS4]

Along with 13.

Does anyone know which places have been attacked in Birmingham; I'm not interested if it's Primark!

Parts of the Bull Ring (but not the bull itself)
CyberCandy
Monty's Sandwich Bar
Coral (Bull St)
Jessop
McDonalds (Cherry St)
Maplin
Pandora's Jewellers
Tesco (new St)
Computer Exchange

That is not an exhaustive list (It's surprisingly hard to find!). I'm following the pics on http://birminghamriots2011.tumblr.com/

The Villa shop appears to have escaped though and, contrary to rumour they have not targeted the children's hospital.

 

[Lampshade]

Confirmed, it's kicking off in Preston now

 

[SS4]

I've seen a picture of a McDonalds smashed in, not sure what branch though, it was in Birmingham.

Cherry Street, the one nearest St Philips cathedral (not sure on the cathedral's name but it's the one in pigeon park if anyone else knows officially)

I think parts of the Jewellery quarter, Handsworth and shops on Colmore Row were effected

 

[anthony263]

What a sad joke. You're not telling me that the Police can't steam in and get 20 or so of these Feral youth? I suspect that the Police don't want to hurt anybody in case they get prosecuted and persecuted by the many do-gooders in this crazy, broken country of ours

I think that is 1 of the problems which has caused this situation to esculate.

Another problems is that the parents can't control the kids and then play hell going on about their human rights when people say things about them.

The police needs to have more powers i think, they should be allowed to beat some of these yobs, even if the yobs get seriously hurt that would put them off.

The governemnt needs to get a grip as well, i think we will be ok in london tonight but at the cost of control in other cities, already had 1 of our buses having egs etc thrown at them. i do wish i could get out and give these kids a good smack, surprisinly all the drivers and other people i have spoken to agree with me.

 

[yorkie]

The problems in this country stem from a sense of automatic entitlement in young people.

Yes, that's exactly it. They get mobile phones and other 'luxury' items before they have earnt a penny. Very few of them have to do chores around the house. They get whatever they want, on demand.

It's also all about "respect", but not the sort of respect that a reasonable person would consider respect. Oh no, their respect is where you have to respect them, but they don't respect anyone or anything. That's their respect. If they do wrong and are told off, that's "dissing" them and not showing respect. :roll:

 

[northwichcat]

Note that it's Greater Manchester Police that have asked Metrolink to suspend City Centre services.

They've also requested that Virgin Trains close the travel centre at Piccadilly station.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Now all Metrolink services have now been suspended until further notice.

 

[Class172]

Parts of the Bull Ring (but not the bull itself)
CyberCandy
Monty's Sandwich Bar
Coral (Bull St)
Jessop
McDonalds (Cherry St)
Maplin
Pandora's Jewellers
Tesco (new St)
Computer Exchange

That is not an exhaustive list (It's surprisingly hard to find!). I'm following the pics on http://birminghamriots2011.tumblr.com/

The Villa shop appears to have escaped though and, contrary to rumour they have not targeted the children's hospital.

Not that much then - not surprised Tesco was attacked, it is brimming with energy drinks and has a large glass frontage. I won't be surprised either if the Krispy Kreme in Selfridges is targeted. However I don't expect TKMaxx outside New St station to be targeted!

 

[WestCoast]

The problems in this country stem from a sense of automatic entitlement in young people. Nobody is entitled to anything in this life, except the right to carry on one's life and business in peace, without the fear of mindless cretins smashing in your windows.

Certain young people may I add.

Yes, that's exactly it. They get mobile phones and other 'luxury' items before they have earnt a penny. Very few of them have to do chores around the house. They get whatever they want, on demand.

There are still some families with old-fashioned values, trust me. I earned money to pay for my phone, yet all these rioters automatically have £150+ BlackBerries I see.

 

[Hydro]

However I don't expect TKMaxx outside New St station to be targeted!

You never know, a Poundland was done over and everyone made away with crisps :roll:

 

[SS4]

The problems in this country stem from a sense of automatic entitlement in young people.

Additionally the treatment of all young people as a waste of space by media. Why aren't they stressing that a huge number of young people do not condone such an action.
If it was a race riot they'd show people of the same race decrying the riot and after 7/7 they took great care to put across the views that it was not the Muslim thing to do but when it's young people: nothing.

The problems in this country stem from a lack of understanding and a lack of faith in the political system and a widespread exclusion of youth from good society.

Interesting to note that, apart from the looting, this is the same behaviour our government encouraged in the Arab world...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Not that much then - not surprised Tesco was attacked, it is brimming with energy drinks and has a large glass frontage. I won't be surprised either if the Krispy Kreme in Selfridges is targeted. However I don't expect TKMaxx outside New St station to be targeted!

The New Street Tesco sells Krispy Kreme . I admit there are huge gaps in my knowledge but it wasn't as bad as the media made it out to be. How much of that is typical hyperbole and how much is confusion is unknown

 

[WestCoast]

Additionally the treatment of all young people as a waste of space by media. Why aren't they stressing that a huge number of young people do not condone such an action.

It's important not to demonise young people, that will just make it worse I fear.

On Facebook, there is a constant stream of groups making a mockery of these thugs.

 

[Hydro]

Vive le Royaume-Uni.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixel-eight/6024429000/

 

[AlterEgo]

The problems in this country stem from ... a widespread exclusion of youth from good society.

How exactly are young people excluded from good society? I have had an absolute wealth of opportunities. I am a young person and am not exceptionally privileged. I don't feel excluded at all - but I work hard, earn money and pay tax. I've worked for just about everything I've got. I've been unemployed twice, for short periods, and never felt like I should take up arms about it!

 

[imagination]

Interesting to note that, apart from the looting, this is the same behaviour our government encouraged in the Arab world...

And the fact that those riots actually had a stated objective behind them.

If they were doing it in a definate and clearly stated attempt to overthrow the government then, while I would still wholehearted disagree with them, they would at least have a cause that it was theoretically possible to empathise with.

 

[Flamingo]

Serious one here:

Groups of rioters are using tubes and trains to travel between sites of disorder.

BTP wish to be phoned immediately if any groups of youths or any people with their faces covered travelling on the railway or congregating outside railway stations.

BTP number is 0800 40 50 40

 

[SS4]

How exactly are young people excluded from good society? I have had an absolute wealth of opportunities. I am a young person and am not exceptionally privileged. I don't feel excluded at all - but I work hard, earn money and pay tax. I've worked for just about everything I've got. I've been unemployed twice, for short periods, and never felt like I should take up arms about it!

Their funding is cut so they can't stay in education and jobs are being cut (or at least youth unemployment is high) so they can't go to work. I've been lucky in that I've been able to work once, on a temporary contract for 18 months, otherwise I've not been given a job opportunity - employers prefer those older, who got the experience when times were good. Perhaps they shouldn't take up arms but it's just as naive to blame it on young people.

 

[anthony263]

I am still pretty young yet i am managing, i know if i want something i have to work for it.

I have come from a poor family yet i have worked hard through school, university etc and i am doing ok for myself yes i am still living with my parents but i am saving up and hopefully will one day buy my own place.


I do admit i did struggle to find work even with all the qualifications i had as employers want people with previous experience which is a pain and i think is likely to get worse as people are retiring later.

( I will stop there before i end up causing some people to start blaming OAP's)


I do not agree with these yobs personally i think their excuses are just stupid. There has been some trouble tonight in south wales, i have been on the phone from a former workmate that there is trouble down in gorseinon so i suspect there will be trouble in swansea tonight. I just hope these yobs dont get the train from gowerton to swansea as i feel sorry for staff and passengers on the train.

I know a few drivers are stating to think about refusing to serve 1of the estates in gowerton for their safety, i know 1 driver when i was with veolia got mugged there in daylight where a thief jumped on as the driver was just getting change a for a passenger grabbed the bag with money in and ran off.

So if anyone has any problems tonioght please dont blame members of staff as they have to look after themselves and passengers etc

 

[yorkie]

Just heard on BBC News that someone in Manchester (I think) has 4 huge dogs, and if the rioters come to his shop, he'll let them loose. I wonder if anyone is thinking what I am thinking?...

 

[ralphchadkirk]

J I wonder if anyone is thinking what I am thinking?...

Well I'm thinking it's probably time for another Ibuprofen after my op today. I take it that's not what you were thinking of though?

 

[4SRKT]

Just heard on BBC News that someone in Manchester (I think) has 4 huge dogs, and if the rioters come to his shop, he'll let them loose. I wonder if anyone is thinking what I am thinking?...

That setting vicious animals on people is acceptable? No, I'm not thinking that. That two wrongs make a right? Nope, not that either.

 

[WestCoast]

That setting vicious animals on people is acceptable? No, I'm not thinking that. That two wrongs make a right? Nope, not that either.

I am not saying set the dogs on them, but how would you control them?

Without force involved? These people can't be talked to about this.

To protect myself against a personal attack from the mob, I wouldn't hesitate in using the services of an angry dog if I had one handy! It will offer more protection than the police.

 

[Hydro]

If I was fearful for my own safety, rest assured I would do anything I could to protect myself and my property. This isn't cruel violence in living out some vigilante fantasy, but people do have the right to defend themselves.

 

[bluenoxid]

Just heard on BBC News that someone in Manchester (I think) has 4 huge dogs, and if the rioters come to his shop, he'll let them loose. I wonder if anyone is thinking what I am thinking?...

The problem is that on private property, he is unlikely to be able to be stopped as it is a civil matter

 

[All Line Rover]

Better still - create Penal Battallions and send these scumbags down the road in Afghanistan ahead of the regular squaddies, save a good soldier getting blown up and get rid of scum at the same time - simples

What an excellent idea! It would be much cheaper than sending them to prison!

(Although I wouldn't really vote "YES" in a poll because I don't support wars.)

Being serious, I am extremely annoyed that I can't go about my daily business without worrying about rioters. (Having said that, I didn't see anything unusual in Birmingham New Street today.)

Why don't the police use tear gas? Why don't the police use tasers? Why do the police allow people to smash up shops and then go and arrest them days later?!

People have far too many "rights" nowadays. The police need to be given more power instead of worrying about being sued for "assault" because of using a taser on someone who is looting a shop! :roll:

Personally I am now even happier that I live in a peaceful village in the middle of nowhere - a place that is absolutely silent at night. Bliss!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

This gives you an idea what we are up against:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14458424

Those girls are a prime example of uneducated, drunken, teenage yobs, who have terrible parents, have absolutely no idea how society works, and who will be living on the dole for the rest of their lives.

Even if these girls are over 16, I still place primary responsibility on the parents for being such lazy $&@$^ who have raised such terrible children!

^insert your own word here.

 

[WestCoast]

Personally I am now even happier that I live in a peaceful village in the middle of nowhere - a place that is absolutely silent at night. Bliss!

That's lovely for you, but it's the suffering of innocent people who live in the affected areas I feel for.

Although, to be fair, I am out of the country ATM, but the riots did feature on the German evening news tonight, with a fairly lengthy and detailed segment. A lot of interesting facts and figures about joblessness, it wasn't too damning but it didn't make the country sound too rosy.

Those girls are a prime example of uneducated, drunken, teenage yobs, who have terrible parents, have absolutely no idea how society works, and who will be living on the dole for the rest of their lives.

But they didn't choose their parents, did they? It's a deeper problem than that, a product of British Society.

 

[yorksrob]

Yeah, my sister heard about them in Mexico.

 

[anthony263]

seems the iranians are laughing at us according to sky news. I bet our freinds in libya is also laughing at us in his bunker.

Just great when the olympics are only months away. this is now just people looking for a chance to get themselves on tv and get some free stuff as well. If some are inured by residents shop owners etc then i will say tough luck and if these yobs dont like, F*** oout of our country (sorry for the swearing but i am really starting to loose it.)

I have had eggs through at myself and the bus today in Pontypridd by some brats who must only be about 9/10 years old. There were adult in the gardens of nearby houses just watching them.

 

[BestWestern]

For all the speak of the struggles of the poor in our suburban slums and the need to 'fix society', the harsh reality is that we need force on the streets, now. Even if you are misguided enough to believe that certain aspects of society have a legitimate reason to go rampaging through our streets, there is a clear majority of those involved in all of this who need to feel the sharp end of some tough discipline. Looting shops, setting buses full of commuters ablaze and generally attacking anybody who isn't taking part in your vile riot, is not a legitimate protest in any civilised nation. We are, at the moment, still just about a civilised nation, ebbing slowly closer to the brink with each day that this sort of crap continues.

What is obvious here is that we are witnessing the sad results of years of soft justice, with Governments who are more interested in saving money by letting people off time and again than actually maintaning law and order, and think that anybody who does murder enough people to actually see what the inside of a prison looks like should be treated to a short stay at HMP Butlins. Add to this the meddling EU and the pathetic, sickening, contemptuous 'Hooman Rights' apologist brigade, who would find a reason to feel sorry for you if you murdered your own Grandad for his last humbug, and the real issues become very clear indeed.

The scum of our society have lost all respect for the police, the courts, the authorities and the decent people who's communities they ruin. It isn't really any suprise, after all what sort of country sees people passing through the courts tens or hundred of times, for the same offences, and still sends them on their way? What sort of justice system indulges in such pathetic practices as awarding points and driving bans to people with who hold no licence in the first place, or fines uninsured drivers less than their premium would have cost them?! How many stories do we read in the papers of people being fobbed off by utterly disinterested police when reporting criminality? Yet, if you eat a choccy bar whilst sat at the lights, or your young child inadvertantly drops half his sauage roll on the floor in the town centre, the full force of the law is applied, helpfully criminalising the innocent whilst the guilty walk away unscathed.

Yes, we need more prisons. We need more people locked up in them. And they need to be prisons, not relaxation centres. Nasty places which actually provide a sufficient deterrant for people not to commit crime, as I believe was once the point of having them. And then we need some real, down to earth judges, who aren't earning more money in a week than most of us make in a year, and who aren't 165 years old, who will actually send criminals to these nasty places, where they will actually - hold on tight now - SUFFER!! Oh my gosh, take me away to the EU Hooman Rights termination centre, I said something unpleasant about a criminal, eek!!

Seriously, what we need is to get a grip, hand back our society to decent people and make sure criminals are put somewhere else. Only then can we actually start to build this better, fairer society that we so badly need. It is utterly pointless trying to mend our world whilst it remains full of the sort of individuals who will only ever wreck it all again. We aren't the first place to have this problem, think of the famous US mayor who flooded his city with police to take back the streets etc, that is what we now need, desperately. Let's hope and pray our leaders can see this.

 

[imagination]

Manchester metrolink closed 5 minutes ago by police